Restoring parched farmlands and livelihoods in Phangyul, Bhutan by Dechen Wangmo/UNDP Bhutan via UNDP Climate Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0) https://bit.ly/4uZH9YP
Bhutan recognises WERELIS contributions to National Energy Policy 2025
11 March 2026
Bhutan’s Department of Energy has formally recognised the contribution of the Women’s Empowerment through Renewable Energy Powered Decentralized Lift Irrigation Systems in Bhutan (WERELIS Bhutan) project to the country’s newly launched National Energy Policy 2025.
In a letter addressed to the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the Department of Energy expressed appreciation for the partnership and technical support provided through the WERELIS initiative. The department highlighted how ICIMOD’s work on renewable energy powered lift irrigation systems has helped shape key provisions in the national policy.
The letter notes that insights from WERELIS pilot projects in Chhuzbu Gewog and Punakha, alongside feasibility studies for additional renewable energy powered irrigation sites, have strengthened the department’s technical capacity to plan and implement similar systems in the future. These efforts have also contributed to embedding inclusive and resilient strategies within Bhutan’s energy planning.
A key outcome reflected in the National Energy Policy 2025 is a commitment to promote productive end uses of renewable energy to support livelihoods and community development. This includes applications such as water pumping, electric vehicle charging stations and small community enterprises.
The WERELIS Bhutan project focuses on expanding the use of renewable energy powered lift irrigation systems while supporting women’s entrepreneurship and participation in the energy transition. Agriculture employs around 60 percent of Bhutan’s population, with women making up more than half of the workforce. Improving irrigation access and integrating renewable energy technologies has the potential to strengthen food security, increase productivity and create new opportunities for women in rural communities.
The Department of Energy emphasised that continued collaboration will be important for advancing sustainable energy solutions and strengthening climate resilience across Bhutan.
Find out more about WERELIS Bhutan and their latest outputs here.
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